Instructions for LH Ovulation Midstream Tests

Ovulation Midstream Test Instructions are specific to one brand. They are re-published here as a single example of LH urine ovulation test instructions. These instructions should not be generalized to other brands, but do provide a general rubric for how tests are used.

Ovulation Predictor Kits (OPKs) allow you to anticipate when you ovulate. Ovulation tests function by measuring the Luteinizing Hormone (LH) content and quantity in your urine. LH is the hormone responsible for triggering the release of the egg from the ovarian follicle. Therefore, when you are able to detect the increase of LH (called the LH surge) with an OPK, then you know that the ovum is about to be released. This separation of ovum from follicle is, by definition, ovulation itself.

The surge in luteinizing hormone that is detectable by an lh test typically anticipates ovulation by about a full day or two. That's why ovulation tests are perfect for predicting fertility: Once you receive a positive result, you can time intercourse so the sperm will be waiting and ready for the egg as the descends down the fallopian tube to the uterus. It will be in the lower portion of the fallopian tube or in the uterus where fertilization takes place. In short, once you receive a positive result, it is recommended to have intercourse that day, the following day, and the day after. Note that once ovulation takes place, and the egg separates from the follicle, the egg can only survive for about a day. This is why timing sex is central to increasing your odds of becoming pregnant during a particular cycle.

Your Cycle Length

Day to Begin Testing

21 days

Day 5

22 days

Day 6

23 days

Day 7

24 days

Day 8

25 days

Day 9

26 days

Day 10

27 days

Day 11

28 days

Day 12

29 days

Day 13

30 days

Day 14

31 days

Day 15

32 days

Day 16

33 days

Day 17

34 days

Day 18

35 days

Day 19

36 days

Day 20

37 days

Day 21

38 days

Day 22

39 days

Day 23

1) Determine When To Begin Testing for Ovulation

Determine the length of your menstrual cycle over the last few months.

Use the chart to work out the day you should begin testing. The day you begin testing is listed opposite the number of days in your normal cycle.

NOTE: Use the ovulation midstream test once a day, at about the same time - between 10:00 A.M. and 8:00 P.M. Do not use first morning samples as LH is synthesized in your body early in the morning. It will not show up in urine until later in the day.

The best time to test is between 10am and 8pm. Be sure to test at the same time each day. Also, reduce your liquid intake around 2 hours before testing urine as a diluted liquid sample can prevent LH detection.

2. Remove the test stick from its foil pouch by tearing at the notch and take the cap off the test stick.

3. To perform the test, turn the test stick so that the absorbent tip is located down and away from you (do not allow urine to make contact with the test window). With the absorbent tip pointing in a downward direction and the test window facing away from your urine stream, hold the absorbent tip in your stream of urine. Hold it for at least six seconds so that adequate urine is absorbed.

4. Re-seal the test with the cap and place on a flat try surface, result windows facing up. You should see a rose-pink color moving across the viewing window as the test begins to work.

5. In 3 to 5 minutes, a rose-pink color band (control band) will appear in the window to show that the test is complete. Interpret the results as shown below. For best results, tests should be interpreted at 5 minutes. Do not read test results after the initial 5 minute interval.

Interpretation of Results
Within three to five minutes, two color bands will appear. Interpret tests results at 5 minutes. To determine your result, compare the color intensity, i.e. shade of color, lightness or darkness of color, of the test band (T) to the control band (C). In determining a positive or negative result, it is important to compare the color intensity for this will indicate whether or not the LH surge (indicating ovulation) is in progress.

POSITIVE: Positive for the LH Surge: If the test band (T) is of equal or greater intensity (equal or darker) than the control band (C), this is a positive result and a good indication that the LH surge is occurring.

NEGATIVE: Negative for the LH Surge: If the test band (T) is of lesser intensity (lighter) than the control band (C) or the test band cannot be seen, this means the LH level of the sample is at or near its basal (normal) level and that the LH surge is not in progress.

Comments

Okay so I haven't completely figured it all out yet, but according to my last period, my cycle phase is 31 days and I'm on day 12 and still haven't ovulated?!? It was almost positive on day ten, like there was hardly and color difference between the control and test line, and so I thought I would ovulate the next day, and I didn't?!? So what am I doing wrong?!? I'm testing in the late afternoon, between 4:30-6:15 everyday, and I am also taking my BBT and it went up on day ten and was also up on day eleven, but only by one degree, it's usually 96.9 and it was 97.6-97.7, so help out! No one else is and I want a baby more than my life!

This is good news for me! This means that im pregnant! i already have a child that 11 years old and i just found this out so i have to tell my daughter though she is really excited to find out if i am or not!!!!!